- Date
- July 24, 1994, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place
- Waterbury, CT
- Injuries
- 1 serious
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N2282ZAces High Cuby B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 7, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19940724019039A
- Case key
- 38802
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine of the homebuilt airplane experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot attempted a 180 degree turn back to the airport, but the airplane collided with trees short of the runway. Examination of the engine revealed no discrepancies. According to a chart published by the FAA, the temperature and dew point were conducive for moderate icing during cruise power and serious icing during a powered glide.
Factual narrative
On July 24, 1994, at 0945 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Cuby B, N2282Z, owned and piloted by Joseph Marsilio, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a forced landing after takeoff from the Waterbury Airport, Waterbury, Connecticut. The pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91.
In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he had departed the southwest runway and was climbing out when the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to make a 180 degree turn back to the airport.
According the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot stated to him that the engine failed shortly after lifting off runway 18. While the pilot was attempting to make the 180 degree turn, the airplane struck trees southeast of runway 36.
The FAA Inspector conducted a post accident examination of the airplane. In his report he stated, "...The inspection was unable to find any visual sign of a mechanical defect that would have cause the engine to cease operation.
The temperature and dew point conditions at the time of the accident were reviewed. According to the FAA-P-8740-24 Chart, Tips on Winter Flying, the conditions were conducive for moderate icing during cruise power, or serious icing in a powered glide.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2282Z
- Reported as
- Aces High Cuby B
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- 249
- Airframe hours
- 544
- Engine
- Continental A-65, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Joseph Marsilio
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 1, 1994 · 39 hours before
- Departed
- N41
- Destination
- N41
- Airport
- N41 · Waterbury
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 55
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Rear
- Flight hours
- 2,642 total · 300 in this make and model · 2,642 as pilot in command · 22 in the last 90 days · 11 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature
- 75 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- OXE, 10 nm away
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.